A unique cultural and culinary space featuring tea.

The Long Dinh Tea Museum, located in Cau Dat area, Xuan Truong ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong province, covers approximately 3,500 square meters and is situated next to a dreamy pine forest. This is a private tea museum displaying hundreds of artifacts that tell the story of the development of the tea industry as well as the ways of enjoying tea in Vietnam and other countries around the world.

The Long Dinh Tea Museum is preserving an ancient tea tree, nearly a hundred years old, which was brought to Vietnam by the French for experimental cultivation.

From the cultural space of tea

Ms. Tran Hao Nhien, Production Manager of Long Dinh Tea Joint Stock Company, said: "The Long Dinh Tea Museum was created with the mission of bringing a tea experience journey to the largest tea culture space in Vietnam, to listen to stories about the tea-growing region of Cau Dat, which has a history of over 100 years - a land chosen by the French to cultivate tea, the origin of the tea industry on the Lang Biang plateau."

The Long Dinh Tea Museum, a cultural space, is located in the Cau Dat area, where in 1927 the French first brought tea plants to Vietnam for experimental cultivation. Thanks to the suitable soil of the high plateau, over 1,600 meters above sea level, many precious tea varieties thrived, leading to the development of tea plantations in this region. These plantations brought with them unique Vietnamese tea production techniques and tea-drinking culture, incorporating the finest elements of tea culture from China, Japan, Arabia, Europe, and Vietnam.

The Long Dinh Tea Museum currently houses and displays hundreds of artifacts, paintings, photographs, and sculptures related to the Vietnamese tea industry.

In particular, in 1988, Oolong tea seedlings were imported from Taiwan (China) to this region and then propagated to many localities in Lam Dong province, because this valuable tea variety thrives in areas with cold weather, suitable rainfall, and humidity.

The Longding Tea Museum currently houses and displays hundreds of artifacts, paintings, photographs, and statues, arranged in a systematic manner to introduce the history of the tea industry. Beginning with a statue of the God of Agriculture, prominently placed at the main entrance of the museum, he is considered the progenitor of agriculture and the first person to discover tea plants.

In addition, there are statues and photographs of people who have contributed to the tea industry around the world ; an exhibition area displaying ancient maps of the world tea industry and the history of Vietnamese tea; and an exhibition area showcasing rudimentary tools and implements from the past, such as rice bags, tea baskets, conical hats, water scoops, pushcarts, tea containers, tea storage chests, the raincoats of tea laborers, and other tea-making tools from the past...

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"Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we just want to find a peaceful place where our souls can find tranquility. A place where the fragrant aroma of tea permeates the air, and historical stories are whispered through each artifact."

Ms. Tran Hao Nhien, Production Manager, Long Dinh Tea Joint Stock Company

Visitors participate in experiences at the cultural space - Long Dinh Tea Museum.

From culinary flavors inspired by tea

As one of the pioneers in bringing tea into the kitchen, Ms. Tran Phuong Uyen - Deputy Director of Long Dinh Tea Joint Stock Company - has created delicious dishes from tea. Using high-quality Oolong tea from her own gardens, Ms. Uyen has developed a diverse menu, opening up a new direction for Vietnamese tea cuisine.

At the Long Dinh Tea Museum, besides enjoying the fragrant aroma of tea, visitors can savor surprising dishes such as tea rice, tea-cooked eggs, tea tempura, tea-braised meat, tea jelly, and even green tea sticky rice cakes… Each dish is an elaborate creation, requiring carefully selected tea leaves, harvested at dawn to ensure flavor and nutritional value.

The culinary journey begins with tea rice. More than just rice, tea rice is the first dish to explore the tea flavor in each grain. The rice is cooked in fermented Oolong tea or matcha green tea powder. The cooked rice has a delicate aroma, a soothing green color, and a characteristic soft and chewy texture. The subtle fruity fragrance of black tea or the pure green color of matcha creates a visually appealing and fragrant dish, leaving a subtle tea aftertaste with every bite.

Tea-based egg dishes are a creative way to make delicious meals using tea.

In addition, diners can also enjoy tea-boiled eggs. Behind its seemingly simple appearance, tea-boiled eggs are a symbol of patience and balance in cooking. The eggs are boiled for 8-13 hours in tea infused with herbs such as star anise, cinnamon, and rehmannia. The eggshells are gently cracked to absorb the tea flavor, creating a shimmering brown layer and a rustic aroma reminiscent of the subtle taste of traditional Chinese medicine.

Going beyond traditional dishes, the black tea beef noodle soup is a blend of modern and classic flavors. The black tea broth, combined with tender braised beef, creates a subtly sweet and impressive taste. The noodles, handmade with black tea powder, have a light golden-brown color, are soft but not mushy. This dish surprises and delights diners with its harmonious blend of herbs and protein.

Finally, diners can conclude their meal with tea-based desserts such as tea jelly, green tea dessert, matcha ice cream, or black tea pudding – each retaining the original tea flavor but presented in a variety of new ways.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/doc-dao-khong-gian-van-hoa-am-thuc-tra-382999.html